Posted on 11/14/23 - Rebecca Cullen Founder & Editor  Stereo Stickman

Honest indie-rock blending warmth of writing and tone – Spike Ivory delivers a heartfelt anthem of pop-rock purity and colour, for Outside Looking In.

Building up from the simple and familiar introduction of electric rhythm guitar, Outside Looking In soon brings through a raspy Americana vocal lead of short lines that rise and fall melodically. The set-up naturally appeals for its regular resolves, and this effect grows stronger still as we reach the brightness and uplift of the chorus.

Featuring subtle yet effective piano and secondary vocals for that background fullness, Outside Looking In showcases the story, sentiments and style of long-time musician and songwriter Spike Ivory in a manner that naturally connects. The release feels like a timeless radio hit, catchy and comforting in its reflective nature and musical optimism, and balances that mainstream appeal with a clear sense of organic, unedited performance, which will no doubt translate beautifully in the live setting.

From the album of the same name, Outside Looking In highlights the true energy and embrace of Spike Ivory’s songwriting and passionate, recognizable style as an indie artist. The album is wonderful, eclectic and thoughtful, heartfelt and uplifting in equal parts, with aspects of Folk, Country and Rock and Roll all intertwined.

An easy favourite for this season – a fine collection of songs ideally designed to warm up the colder months that lie ahead.

Find Spike Ivory on Facebook, Instagram & his Website.

 

Posted on 9/16/23 Which Coast

Spike Ivory is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has been active since the early 1980’s. Performing with a full band or as an acoustic act, one thing is certain about Spike Ivory: no matter what this artist does, it is going to be great. Today we are excited to share our thoughts on Spike Ivory’s song, “Outside Looking In”!

While listening through Spike Ivory’s new album, Outside Looking In, the title track really stood out to me. There are a lot of areas of genuine creativity in this song that make it special; the percussion work is inspired and carries the rhythm section, the vocal melody is massively catchy and the guitar work is on-point. You can tell that the lyrics come from a genuine place as well, rounding out the song as a top to bottom enjoyable listening experience.

“Outside Looking In” is a strong song on a strong album and even without comparing it to the other tracks on the album, it stands on its own very well. We have the entirety of Outside Looking In embedded below via Spotify - check out the whole thing and look for “Outside Looking In” as the track two!

 

Posted on: 15 May 2023  The Bandcamp Diaries

Spike Ivory has recently released a new album titled “Outside Looking In.”

The artist has been active since the late 80s, developing a vibrant formula that continues to appeal to fans with his earnest songwriting. Spike is a multi-talented artist who loves to play multiple instruments on his tracks, allowing him to add his signature twist to all aspects of the music creation process. Even though Spike has many of the instruments on his recordings, he actually teamed up with some guest studio musicians for this release, focusing mostly on playing guitar and singing vocals instead!

"Outside Looking In” is truly an impressive display of Spike’s growth as an artist. Throughout this full-length, he skillfully blends his signature style with fresh, innovative elements, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to his craft. It’s no wonder that Spike has received countless accolades for his music over the years, as he continues to captivate and expand his fanbase with each new release. This new studio work marks a significant milestone in his career and is a testament to his talent and hard work.

It can be difficult to gain a clear and objective perspective on ourselves and our lives when we are stuck in the middle of it all. At times, we become so wrapped up in our own thoughts and feelings that we lose sight of the bigger picture. This is where looking at ourselves from the outside can be incredibly valuable. This album captures the concept to perfection. Musically, what sets this album apart is its ability to effortlessly blend classic and contemporary sounds, creating a truly timeless piece of music. From the upbeat and catchy tunes to the more introspective tracks, every song on the album is strong and memorable in its own right. However, one track that stands out, in particular, is “Outside Looking In,” which perfectly captures the vintage-inspired rock sound with a modern twist.

Ultimately, “Outside Looking In” is a deep reflection on life lessons learned through experience, including past and present relationships. The themes of nostalgia and personal growth align with the classic sound of the album, which takes a “back to the roots” approach to American rock music. The lyrics are heartfelt and relatable, with influences from blues and Americana that add a unique touch. The album includes a range of songs, from energetic rocking tracks like “Two Hearts" to the more introspective “Someone To Believe.” The lead single, "Carolina,” is undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments on the album. This song showcases Spike’s incredible musical talent and vast knowledge of the industry. Overall, each song on the album is perfectly crafted to complement the others, resulting in a cohesive and expressive work that is sure to make a lasting impression on all who listen to it while capturing the meaning that drives the album to perfection. Rock music is often seen as fierce and powerful, and it is definitely all that and more. However, this collection of songs shows that rock can also be a way for artists to explore a more vulnerable side without being afraid of sharing their innermost thoughts, feelings, and life experiences.

The sound of the album combines the timeless energy of rock with Spike’s penchant for melodies and personal lyrics. Throughout the span of his career, he has developed a diverse sound inspired by classic rock, Americana, and indie music.Fans of artists like Tom PettyBruce SpringsteenJohn HiattJohn WaiteSteve Earle, and John Mellencamp will definitely connect with this. However, this release will also appeal to fans of recent successful acts like Francis Moon and Kurt Vile, will connect with this formula. The album features 14 songs, showcasing the incredibly diverse range of the artist.

In conclusion, “Outside Looking In” is a vibrant homage to the timeless power of rock music and the instincts of great songwriting. This is a must-listen for fans of rock music, and it’s now available on various streaming platforms. Spike Ivory has proven once again that he’s a force to be reckoned with in the rock scene, as he continues to breathe new life into this wonderful genre.

 

11/25/2022

SPIKE IVORY: CHECK OUT THE NEW SINGLE "CAROLINA" 

play all visit 

Release Date- November 25, 2022 

The American Spike Ivory has been preparing for the release of his new album and, aiming at this, released on November 12, his newest single, entitled "Carolina". Featuring Pop Rock that flirts with elements of the Country, delivers a song composed of great melodies and arrangements, good vocal dynamics and a very cohesive and enjoyable instrumental. The single is already available for listening on major streaming platforms and can be heard on Spotify.

   Roadie-Music    Brazil

 

 11/23/2022 (Spotify Playlister Review)

Carolina, is a track with good personality, flows well, has a light style and is ideal to let it run in the background while you do your things. 

Everything is in perfect harmony, the mix is crisp and promises to maintain a good atmosphere. 

If you still could not hear it, here we leave it to you. 

It is an exclusive presentation of Zone Nights for Argentina. 

Enjoy! 

"Spike Ivory's Canadian Radio Release" 

" Spike Ivory's Canadian Radio Release and Publicity Campaign has proven to be a huge success for his music career. His music is being taken very well by Canadian dj's nationwide. His unique approach to his style of writing and commercial sound can mean only one thing for Spike.-Huge Future Success." 

Danie Cortese - President /CEO 
Danie Cortese Entertainment & Publicity Inc. (International) - Danie Cortese Entertainment 

"kweevak.com review" 

SPIKE IVORY – VELVET CHAINS: Spike Ivory is a rock band based out of Springfield, New Jersey. The CD lists seven members including two guitarists and three different drummers. J. Galluzzi is the driving force of the group as the songwriter, producer and a player. Spike Ivory describes their music as a "return to the basis" with a sound that is down-home American rock with a touch of the blues. Their songs are a collage of life lessons and reflections on relationships. Velvet Chains is Spike Ivory's latest release featuring eleven-tracks. 'My Maria' is the first song and single. It is an up-tempo rocker that is catchy and packs a punch. 'Velvet Chains' has a robust pace, galloping guitars and is sung with gusto. 'Rolling Thunder' starts off with booming guitars before the pace slows to a more reflective tone and then returns to the heavy guitar licks. The lyrics are striking with a call to "say a prayer for the red, white and blue." Spike Ivory delivers solid rock songs with a no-nonsense approach! 
• Recommended Tracks: (1,6,8) [USA/NJ 2005 - web] (Review by Laura Turner Lynch for Kweevak.com) 

- laura turner lynch for kweevak.com 

"PHILADELPHIA SHOWCASE" 

“WHAT A GREAT BAND! A REALLY INNOVATIVE AND MELODIC APPROACH TO THEIR MUSIC. TRULY SO REFRESHING IN THEIR SOUND, AND FOCUS. THIS MUSIC MAKES YOUR HEART FEEL LIGHTER, PUTS A SONG IN YOUR SOUL, A DANCE IN YOUR STEP AND A SMILE ON YOUR FACE.” 
ROBERT METZGAR 
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GROUP 
LEGENDS HALL OF FAME 
- ROBERT METZGAR 

"MAY 1, 2004" 

“ UPLIFTING, POSITIVE MUSIC. VERY ENGAGING BAND WITH UNIVERSAL APPEAL.” 
ESSRA MOHAWK 
EVIDENCE RECORDING 
ARTIST /SONGWRITER - ESSRA MOHAWK 

"WCH RADIO" 

NOVEMBER, 2003 
“WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT SPIKE. YOU KNOW IF I HAD THE MONEY TO FINANCE ANOTHER WOODSTOCK, SPIKE WOULD BE ON THE MAIN STAGE. I WAS TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO DESCRIBE SOME OF THE MUSIC ON SPIKE’S CD THEN I WONDERED WHAT WOULD HARD ROCK SOUND LIKE IN A QUIET MODE. WELL, THAT’S SPIKE, HARD ROCK UNPLUGGED. I ESPECIALLY LIKE “ DON’T TALK TO ME”. GREAT MUSICIANS ON THIS CD. TO BAD MAJOR LABELS ARE MISSING AN ARTIST LIKE SPIKE. BUT THEN AGAIN THAT’S PROBABLY WHY THEY ARE DOING SO BAD RIGHT NOW. 

JOHN O’DAY 
WCH RADIO 
- JOHN O'DAY 

"NEW MUSIC SHOWCASE" 

April 5, 2005 
"Spike Ivory's music is a good time waiting to happen! If you 
like to party and have a good time, you're going to love Spike Ivory" 
Clifford Bowdin - New Music Showcase - CLIFFORD BOWDIN 

"GRAND CENTRAL MUSIC" 

April 25, 2005 
"Spike Ivory is one of the hottest new sounds in rock-n-roll. His 
blues-rock mix is sure to be remembered and copied. Good lyrics, 
great sound, he's got it all. This guy is the real deal. Finally someone with 
originallity and a sound that is his own" 
Grand Central Music 
- GRAND CENTRAL MUSIC 

"ROCK SOLID PRESSURE" 

" If Bruce Springsteen was to take the DYI route today, you would be in Spike's world. Real back to the basic rock and blues sound" 
Rock Solid Pressure 
- ROCK SOLID PRESSURE 

"TOP 100 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2005" 

SPIKE IVORY'S NEW CD "VELVET CHAINS" HAS BEEN NAMED IN THE TOP 100 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2005 BY UPSTAGE MAGAZINE.... 
FOR MORE INFO VISIT 
WWW. UPSTAGEMAGAZINE.COM 
- UPSTAGE MAGAZINE... 

"My Maria hits the top 30" 

Spike Ivory's single "My Maria" form the album "Velvet Chains" has made the number 16 slot of top 30 songs of 2005 by WCH RAdio ST. Louis, MO - WCH radio

"Rollin Thunder" is one of the freshest and most heartfelt songs to support our military that has come along in many years" Al Ulrich 

STAND TALL RADIO 

“I thought that this was pretty cool......A fan at the show tonight said that "If Bruce Springsteen and Cat Stevens were to have a kid, that would be Spike Ivory."” 

BILL MEDLEY 

" Velvet Chains is superior!! I have it going into our rotation within the week. Congrats on a great keepin-it-real rock album" John Roths - Music Director - KEOS 89.1FM_ College Station, TX 

KEOS COLLEGE STATION TEXAS